Improvement in the manufacture of sheet-metal moldings



3 SheetsSheet 1. F. HOELTGE.

MANUFACTURE OF SHEET-METAL Mommas. No.173,954. Patented Feb. 22,1876.

WITNESSES S INVENTQR 4V By I Him/ways MPETERS, F'NOTOLITHOGRAPfiER, WASHINGTON D C 3 SheefisSheet2. F. HOELTGE. MANUFACTURE OF SHEET-METAL HOLDINGS. No.173,954. Patented Feb. 22, 1876.

WITN ESSES m umn 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. HOELTGE.

MANUFACTURE OF SHEET-METAL MOLDINGS. No. 173.954. vIEacented.,I-"eb.-22, 1876.

FIG. 8.

FIG 9.

WITNESSES MPEIERS, PNOYGLITNOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

rear elevation of the dies.

UNITED STATES FREDERICK HOELTGE,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET-METAL MOLDINGS.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 73,954, dated February 22, 1876; application filed December 2-1, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK HOELTGE, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and Improved Process and Apparatus for Making Sheet-Metal Moldings, of which the following is a specification The object of my invention is to produce moldings for window-caps and other architectural purposes in curved or irregular form. To this end I employ a pair of dies, with cavities of gradually-increasili g depth from one end to the other, and in such shape that they may operate on a suitable blank of sheet metal by successive blows, the blank beingfed' a short distance after every stroke. I

By this means 1 am enabled to produce a curved molding of any length, of a single piece of sheet metakwith deep prominences and depressions, such as it would be impossible to produce by rolling, or by the use of dies of the ordinary kind.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a Fig. 2 is on a plan of the lower dies. Fig. 3 is a section on the line-5 3. Fig. 4 is a viewof the receiving end of the dies. Figs. 5 and 6 are sections there of at 5 and 6, respectively. Fig. 7 is a view of the delivering end. Fig. 8 is a plan of a suitable blank for use with 'my invention. Fig. 9 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 10 is a plan of a finished molding. Fig. 11 is a transverse section thereof.

A represents a curved die attached to a rod, 0, and operating in connection with a counter-die, D, of corresponding shape. Each die-is formed at the end a with a surface but slightly indented, so as to initiate the prominences and depressions which it is desired to impart to the molding. The depressions and prominences in, the dies regularly increase in depth from the end a to the end b, as represented, and as more particularly illustrated in the several sectional views.

A blank of suitable form for application to the dies is shown in Fig. 8. A finished molding is shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The operation is as follows A blank from which the molding is made is a truncated sector, whose length and radius somewhat exceed those of the finished molding, and whose breadth is somewhat in excess of the sum of the component members of the molding, meas. ured radially. The blank is inserted endwise between the dies at the end a, the upper die is repeatedly driven down upon the lower one by a hammer, screw, or other suitable means, and the blank is fed. a short distance between the dies after every stroke. The result is that the desired form is produced in the molding gradually without violence or excessive strain. When the final end of the blank has passed out at the end I) the molding is completed. v

I am thus enabled to produce moldings with a degree of finish and perfection which are not attainable by rolling, or by the ordinary stamping process, and I can, manifestl y, make moldings of any required length in a single piece with dies of moderate size.

By this process I am enabled to operate with perfect success on sheet-iron, producing with this material effects which have been heretofore obtained only by the use of'zinc or other more costly metal, or by building up moldings with separate pieces of galvanized iron or other material.

My molding, being made in a single piece, is not liable to injury by fire, as are moldings made with soldered joints.

Gaps of extreme length, or with keys, may be made in separate vous'soirs without departing from the essential features of my invention. I

The dies are formed, as represented, with a horizontal curvature, to impart the arched shape to the window-cap, and with a vertical curvature, to impart the necessary horizontal projection to the cap when in position.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A pair of dies constructed, substantially as herein described, with prominences or depressions of gradually-increasing depth from end to end, for the purpose of operating on sheet metal by successive blows, in the manner explained.

2. The process, substantially as herein described, for producing arched or curved moldings by successive strokes with dies formed with prominences or depressions of gradually-increasing depth,- substantially as herein set forth. 1

' FREDERICK HOELTGE. Witnesses:

OGTAVIUS KNIGHT,

WALTER ALLEN. 

